How to Prepare for Your Dance or Theater Audition

With Psalm 85 as our guide, this month our classes have been focusing on the word “prepare.” New dance years bring about new goals, and we’re working to prepare our hearts for His plans. Of course, new goals also bring about new sets of nerves! If you’re making plans to audition for any of our companies and programs this year, we’re here to help. While we’ve already gone over our top five tips for a successful audition, this week, our directors offer their best tips and tricks of the trade to help you prepare for your dance or theater audition.

Sara Murdaugh, Director, Training Division/Pointe Program: 

“For the Training Division, attend your weekly class(es) consistently and with focus. Come to the audition as if ready for ballet class—leotard, tights, shoes, hair in a bun, water bottle. Know when essays are due and when results will be out; read the material on the website and ask questions. Give yourself grace when you don't know something and celebrate when you do well!


To prepare for your pointe evaluation, attend your twice weekly classes and pre-pointe with consistency and attention to improvement. Just like Training, come to the audition as if ready for ballet class—leotard, tights, shoes, hair in a bun, water bottle. Come early to warm up, read your emails and mark calendars! Know that everyone's journey toward pointe is different and that's ok!”

Mimi McKinnis, Director, FYDC:

“The best thing you can do before any audition is to make sure you’re prepared. There’s nothing worse for your nerves than surprises! Everything you’ll need to know should be posted or communicated ahead of time, so be sure to read everything thoroughly. If you’re asked to wear a certain type of dance wear, make sure you do it! If you’re asked to bring items like forms, headshots and resumes, make sure you do it! Showing that you can take responsibility for requirements and follow directions can be just as important as your physical ability. 


But most of all, make sure you’ve invited God into the audition with you, whether that’s by praying alone, praying with friends or just listening to worship music as you warm up. In FYDC, we want to be sure we’re shining His light, and that His presence is felt by our audience. We want to make an impact in His name, not make a name for ourselves, and that starts with the audition process. Do your very best and enjoy the experience, but know that He is working in ways we can’t always see, through roles we might not always see ourselves in. As with any dance or theater production, each performer is a part of a much bigger picture, so make a way for Him to move through you! Count it all joy, even if you’re disappointed or frustrated, and give Him the glory through every part of the process.”

Laura Bergen, Artistic Director, STARZ Theater Company:

“One thing I encourage all students to do when it comes to auditioning is to remember that this is just an opportunity for you to share your love of singing, dancing and acting with the Creative Team for the show. For up to 90-seconds, that stage is all yours and you are in the spotlight!  Let yourself have fun and make it the greatest show! When we take the pressure off of ourselves that there's something to prove, earn or achieve and instead let our audition showcase our love of storytelling, singing or dancing, the entire mindset surrounding an audition process can change.  


A STARZ Theater Company audition is 90 seconds to do what you love and show us how it fills you with joy. As someone who regularly sits on audition panels, I can assure you everyone on our panel is cheering for you and, regardless of how things play out on a cast list, we are enormously proud of you!”

Taylor Ellen, Training Division/Pointe Program:

“To prepare for a Training audition, confidence is key! Whatever you do, do it confidently, even if you mess up! This is great to practice in any class, but especially as you prepare for an audition. 


To prepare for your pointe evaluation, make sure you come early enough to warm up all your muscles! A lot of the evaluation is very slow and controlled movement that’s repeated several times, so making sure everything is fully warm is important to help you and your body do its best work.”


Abbie Van Horn, Leadership Assistant, Fidéle Youth Dance Company:

“Having been a part of Fidéle for three years, and now as Leadership Assistant, I have learned a lot about auditioning for a dance company! My first and most important piece of advice is: PRAY over your audition! Fidéle is all about performing for our audience of One. As the company verse states, "Not to us, Lord, but to you alone, be the glory forever and ever." If you get nervous over an audition, this is a great way to help with that. It takes the pressure off of you and lets God set the tone. 


Secondly, be confident in what you bring to the table and start preparing early—even if you are unsure about any part of your audition. Don't be afraid to try something new. Fidéle auditions are not a competition! They are poured over in prayer, and you are seen as a whole person in our community. Since our performances are first and foremost worship to our King, we want them to be excellent for Him. So try your best! If not everything is going right for you on audition day, don't worry! Ms. Mimi can see the difference between an off day and a lack of technique. It is more important to see your heart than a perfect triple pirouette. So if you audition, pray, be confident, prepare early, and try something new! Do your best, trust God with the rest!”

Jenna Moore, Lead, STARZ Rising & All STARZ:

“Auditions can be nerve wracking and intense, but my best advise is to remember that the people you are auditioning for are most of the time on your side and are cheering for you!! My favorite thing to do before an audition is to listen to worship music and close my eyes. Practice before you get to the audition, and then worry about warming up and getting in the right headspace when you get there. You got this!!”

Welcome to Season 20 at Turning Pointe Dance!

Hello, Turning Pointe students and families!

 We’re thrilled to have you with us for the 2023-24 dance year, and incredibly blessed to be celebrating our 20th year of operation this season. Whether you’re enrolled in your first class or camp with us this year, or you’ve been involved for all 20, we’re so glad you’re here! The Lord has done some amazing things within this space, and we can’t wait to see how He moves in this special anniversary season.

 With a brand new session of classes now under way, our amazing teachers and staff are hard at work, pouring into lesson plans, curriculum notes and recital details. Each month, they’ll also share and focus on a devotional word and passage of scripture, uniting us in our mission to praise His name with dance in every single class. This season our words take us from preparation to harvest as we celebrate the abundance He’s provided through 20 years rooted in Him.

 September: Prepare

“The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.”   — Psalm 85:12-13

 This month’s verses tell us that God’s righteousness prepares the way for His action. And even when His actions don’t make sense to us, we can still trust Him with our hopes and dreams because we know that God’s ways are always right—His ways are always built on a foundation of righteousness. When we’re in the preparation stage of a project, our role is to steward our dreams for His glory, and prepare for a way with Him.

 God began preparing for Turning Pointe Dance when Ms. Tina was just 8 years old.

 “I remember being in class and my teacher called me out and had me demonstrate something to the class and then told me that I was going to be a dance teacher and work at her studio someday,” she said. “That was the first time that I remember someone (besides my parents) speaking into my life and calling something out in me that I didn’t even see in myself yet. So I grabbed hold of that encouragement and held tightly to those words.”

 Continuing to dance through her school years, at the end of high school, Ms. Tina witnessed a performance by Ballet Magnificat! — a professional Christian ballet company founded in Mississippi.

 “It was a major ‘A-ha!’ moment for me seeing dance and faith TOGETHER with excellence,” she remembered. “My dream began to grow, but it wasn’t time to take the first steps just yet.”

 After college and marriage, and with the start of her family on the way, God reminded her of the dream He had planted so many years ago, and one He had continued to cultivate through each plie, performance and plan.

“God reminded me of my dream that dance could be done differently—that faith and the arts could work together to produce something beautiful,” Tina said. “I got out my journal and started writing ideas of where I could potentially offer dance classes, what the class structure would look like, what the dress code would be, how much I could charge, how I could market and spread the word. After looking at all my notes, I felt peace about taking the first step. Maybe this is the time to start some after school dance classes on the side.”

 “Something had been planted in my heart during that Ballet Magnificat! performance so many years earlier,” she continued. “Christian dance and Christian dance studios were not really in existence 20 years ago, so there was no roadmap or guidebook for how to do this. I just knew that if I was going to launch dance classes on my own, I wanted it to be with Jesus as the center. So with no roadmaps, no Christian dance mentors (remember no one was doing this at the time), no lawyer, and no working capital—I started a business.”

 In September 2004, Ms. Tina started teaching five faith-based dance classes per week at Colorado Springs Christian School, Handprints Preschool, and their cottage program. In September 2023, more than 1,300 class units were filled by nearly 800 students at Turning Pointe School of Dance.

 “God was preparing me all of those years for this dream,” Tina said. “It didn’t happen when I thought it would though—there was more that needed to be cultivated in my heart.”

 God sees every day of your entire life, from the first day to the last, as important. He is caring for you right now, and is already setting plans for your life 10, 20, and 50 years from now. Whatever brought you through our doors this season, and whatever your reasons for enrolling in dance, God cares even more than you do what becomes of your life because He loves you SO much. As we prepare for the classes, peek weeks and performances this year will bring, and as you prepare to take on your classes at Turning Pointe, remember: His plans are already in motion

Performance Prep 101: How to LOVE Recital Week!

It’s here! As we prepare for our spring performances at Turning Pointe Dance, you might be asking yourself: “Why do we have a recital?” Even though it adds tasks to your plate and takes up some time, the answer is as simple as 1, 2, 3…

 1. We are dancing on stage because we are learning a performing art! Performing is a big part of dance, and we’re learning and practicing that piece in addition to all of the other aspects.

 2. We are dancing on stage because it’s FUN to get all dressed up and perform! Costumes are part of what creates the whole picture of a performance, and part of learning to dance is learning to put it all together, from hair to shoes!

 3. We are dancing on stage to show our family and friends what we’ve learned, and inviting them to celebrate with us.

 And while all of these reasons might be true, at Turning Pointe Dance, we dance for a greater purpose.

 “My soul magnifies the Lord.” —  Luke 1:46.

 At Turning Pointe recitals, our hope is that all of our dancers will be big lights that shine for Jesus. We want to glorify God through our bodies, praise His name with dancing, and present the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ on stage. Of course all of our dancers will look lovely in their costumes, they will perform beautifully, and their families will celebrate with them. But more than that, our mission at Turning Pointe will be fulfilled and the heart of God will be blessed and pleased.

 So let’s make sure this week is filled with JOY! It’s a celebration of praise, afterall. Read on for a few tips to help you prepare for your performances, as we ALL prepare to shine His light throughout the auditorium!

 

1. Plan Ahead
Make sure you know when you’re supposed to arrive, and plan ahead for any naps, snacks, traffic possibilities, hair/makeup prep, and warmup/stretching time needed. You know your body or your dancer better than anyone… make sure you’re setting yourself up for success on stage instead of scrambling! And this doesn’t just go for recital day… are you performing on Sunday? Maybe skip the fourteener Saturday morning, and opt for a restful day instead. Take care of yourself, make good choices, and get a good night’s sleep.

 

2. Prepare at Home
Once you arrive at the auditorium, things will be all-systems-go, with plenty of distractions. Before you head out the door, be sure to block out some time to pray, worship, and go over your dance (or dances!). Trust us… the first time you hear the music or think of your steps shouldn’t be in front of an audience! Find a happy, quiet and comfortable place at home, give Him all the glory, and practice everything a few times before the craziness of the moment.

 

3. Review the Info
There’s a lot to keep track of this week, but we’ve got it all on one convenient page. Head over to the All About Recital page on our website for a quick reference guide, complete with the hair, tights and shoes needed for each class, the Recital Handbook, and information on tickets and keepsakes, like pictures, flowers, recital bunnies and performance videos (DVD, Blu-ray and digital).

 A big part of the dance training process includes learning through performance. The experience helps build self-esteem and confidence! On-stage experience (no matter how big or small) can also result in better school presentations, improved social skills, and strong interview skills for future college or job opportunities.

 Participating in rehearsals helps children develop retention skills, teamwork, and adaptability. They’ve put in the work all year long, and we’ve worked to clarify what is required in terms of commitments and responsibility, all in order to make this spring recital week a great experience for students, teachers, parents, tech crew, and audience members alike. We’re going to have a GREAT weekend and we look forward to sharing it with you!

All About Preschool Dance

A parent’s work is never done, am I right? Even though it’s barely May, we’re already busy making plans and preparations for 2023-24 school year activities, and making sure we’re registered and ready to go when opportunities open and quickly fill up. And while swimming, gymnastics and soccer are all popular choices, including dance in your child’s schedule can be as beneficial as it is fun! Read on to learn all about our Twirl classes — and why Turning Pointe Dance is the best studio for preschool dance in Colorado Springs.

 

What is preschool dance?

 We know what you’re thinking: Is my child going to learn REAL dance or just spin around and play dress up? Will they get anything out of a preschool dance class? The answer is—both! At Turning Pointe, our goal is that preschool dancers have FUN, and learn to love dancing… that’s what keeps them coming back to learn more and more as they grow and improve! At the same time, we want our littlest preschool dancers to learn ballet basics and simple dance terminology, mixed with creative movement and props to spark their imaginations.

 

My child is shy or gets easily overwhelmed. What if he/she won’t go into class?

 We get this a lot – and it’s completely normal! There may be a few tears at first, but usually once they start dancing, they quickly forget their troubles and have so much fun. If they continue to cry or stay upset for more than a few minutes, we’ll bring them to you. We know this takes trust on your part, but at Turning Pointe, Twirl parents can know that their dancers are in a loving and encouraging environment. Our Godly role models and well-trained staff will do their very best to make everyone feel comfortable and secure!

 That said, don't be discouraged if all your dancer does is watch class and not move/dance at all during the first few weeks. Some students just need to see what we're doing and think about it at home before they’re ready to jump in and join! Some students take longer to warm up than others, and that is perfectly fine with us. We love giving them the space to feel comfortable and grow in their confidence!

 

My child may have some separation anxiety. Can I sit in the classroom?

 Having some anxiety about being away from mom or dad is completely normal. Our goal for the little ones is to get them ready for a classroom setting that they will have in preschool or church: learning to follow directions, listening to the teacher, being aware of others, taking turns, sharing, and building confidence. These are all important goals in their development, along with our dance goals! If a child is consistently having a hard time being away from mom or dad, it may be a good idea to wait and try again when they are ready.

 Our policy also limits distractions that often change children's behavior, such as having an audience, or wondering why some parents are present and not others. We want to help our students practice the habit of attention, and most of our Twirl dancers are still learning. So the more we limit distractions, the more dancing, learning, and fun we'll have together!

 

How can I set my child up for success in preschool dance?

 Being on time to class is KEY! If a student walks in late and the class has already started, it can be harder for them to walk in and join on their own, and it's also disruptive to the class when the door is opening and closing. Being a few minutes early will also give you time to take them potty and get their shoes on so they are ready for class.

 Talk to your child about what dance class is; look up some children’s dance videos on YouTube (find videos of polished performances, AND ones taken during class, with the camera angle set low, from a child’s perspective, if you can). Encourage your dancer to line up outside their class door (even if they are holding your hand) and be ready to walk into the classroom when the teacher opens the door for class. And don’t forget to label each of their shoes with their name!

 

Why take preschool dance class at Turning Pointe?

 Students in Turning Pointe’s preschool classes (the Twirl program) will be introduced to the basic dance terminology of ballet. We balance focus and fun while learning spatial awareness, flexibility, coordination, balance, expression, and hearing music, all while exploring the joy of movement and worshiping God. They’ll have a monthly Bible verse and fruit of the spirit to focus on as they learn to use the gifts God’s given them for His glory! We have parent peek weeks twice each year to show the progress being made in each class, all leading up to a one-of-a-kind Red Carpet Recital Experience.

 Because of our Twirl Director and Twirl instructors’ knowledge of child development, and their experience with teaching this age group, our program is one of the most well-balanced, age-appropriate dance programs you’ll find in Colorado Springs. That’s why we’ve been voted Best of the Springs Gold in Dance Studio for Kids for nine of the last 10 years!

 More than that, Turning Pointe’s Twirl program gives you options. From Twirl Babies, starting at just 2 years old, to Twirl Ballet and Twirl Combo (ballet and tap), Twirl Showtime for musical theater, and even Twirl Hippity Hop for the littlest movers and shakers.

 Still not sure if your child is ready for a preschool dance class? Come to one of our Twirl Summer Mini Camps! Created for students ages 3-7, these three-day camps are a great way to introduce our classes and instructors to students trying dance for the very first time. Each camp includes your child’s favorite characters to inspire students as they dance, create crafts and do other fun activities. There’s even a parent performance at the end of each one!

 Email info@turningpointeschoolofdance.com to sign up for summer camp, schedule a tour of our facility, ask plenty of questions, and prepare for fall 2023-24 class sessions. Registration opens July 15!

All About Auditions

It’s already April, and you know what that means… It's time for springtime company and program auditions at Turning Pointe Dance! Auditions can be an exciting opportunity, and a great experience for students of all ages and abilities, regardless of outcome. Ready to put yourself out there? Here’s what’s coming up this month at Turning Pointe, along with our top five tips to prepare for a successful audition!

Turning Pointe Training Division

 April Audition Date: Monday, April 10, 2023

April Audition Time: 6:30-7:45 p.m.

Additional Audition Dates: Wednesday, May 10, 2023 (5:30-7 p.m.)

 About the Training Division: Students accepted into the Training Division for the 2023-24 season will receive high quality, technically focused, faith-centered instruction, specifically for students who are passionate about Classical Ballet. Acceptance is required prior to enrolling in Training Division classes for the upcoming school year session.

 More Information: TurningPointeSchoolOfDance.com/Training-Division

Questions: training.turningpointe@gmail.com (Ms. Sara)

 

Fidèle Youth Dance Company

 April Audition Date: Saturday, April 15, 2023

April Audition Time: 10 a.m. - Noon (age 10-13); 12:30-2:30 p.m. (students age 14+)

Additional Audition Dates: Saturday, June 3 (same times)

 About Fidèle Youth Dance Company: Students accepted into FYDC’s 10th season will be cast in their 2023 production of “Bring Her Home,” an original stage adaptation of the novel by the same name (and a royal re-telling of The Prodigal Son). Cast members aged 14 and up can also be considered for the inaugural FYDC Missions Team, which will travel to El Salvador over Spring Break 2024.

 More Information: FideleYouthDanceCompany.com/Auditions

Questions: FideleYouthDanceCompany@gmail.com (Ms. Mimi)

 

STARZ Theater Company

 April Audition Dates: Friday-Saturday, April 21-22, 2023

April Audition Times: Turning Pointe Dance students ages 9-18: April 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m. and April 22, 12:30-5 p.m.; Students from the COS community: April 22, 6-8 p.m.

Additional Audition Dates: Sunday, April 23 (Callbacks for select auditionees)

About STARZ Theater Company: April’s auditioning students will be considered for a role in STC’s summer production of Frozen Jr. This fast-paced summer session will kick off June 12 and rehearse through July 20 before turning the ENT Center stage to Arendelle July 20-22.

More Information: StarzTheater.org/FrozenJrAuditionDetails

Questions: http://www.starztheater.org/contact

 

Turning Pointe’s Top 5 Tips for a Successful Audition:

1. Read everything carefully

When auditioning for anything, it’s important to know exactly what to expect. Nerves will be at an all-time high, and curveballs can only make potential performers (and their families) even more anxious! Everything you need to know should be publicly available, so do your best to know everything you’ll need to know ahead of time. Bonus Tip: Research the company or production you’re trying out for while you’re at it! Read the book. Watch the movie. Check out last year’s Handbook. The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be!

 

2. Present yourself well

You know what they say… if you look great, you’ll do great! Know what you need to wear ahead of time, plan your dancewear accordingly, and make sure your equipment is ready to support you—whether that’s your pointe shoes, muscles or vocal chords! Do your hair and makeup (if applicable) prior to your arrival so you enter the audition space ready to shine. Bonus tip: Don’t leave it all to your look. Presenting yourself well also means good posture, well-spoken answers and respect for instructors!

 

3. Be extra prepared

Being prepared for an audition goes without saying, but how can you go the extra mile? Directors love students who take the process seriously, so show your commitment by arriving with all of the applicable forms, resumes, headshots and fees completed, clean, and ready to turn in. Bonus tip: Make sure your headshots and resumes are current and up-to-date well in advance so you’re not scrambling at the last minute!

 

4. Ask questions

If something isn’t clear, ask for clarification! Confidence is key when it comes to any audition, so be sure you know exactly what’s expected of you or what’s being asked. Trust us… directors would rather take the time to answer your questions than see an easily avoidable misunderstanding, and so would you! Bonus tip: This goes for preparing for the audition and during the audition itself. Didn’t catch a step in the combo? Missed which count you’re starting on? Ask the instructor to repeat the instructions. Directors want to see you at your best, and ensuring you understand the assignment shows both personal responsibility and a commitment to excellence.

 

5. Have FUN!

Regardless of the outcome, all auditions should be fun. The process allows students of all ages to challenge themselves, experience themselves under pressure, and practice rising to the occasion as they figure out their own definition of success. Besides… if you’re not enjoying yourself, it will definitely show. Bonus tip: Let His light shine through you! As you’re heading to the studio, warming up and preparing to enter the audition room, spend some time in prayer with your favorite worship songs. While putting yourself out there can be scary, remember that He’ll be right beside you every step of the way, delighting in the work of His children. Give thanks for the opportunity and give Him all the glory no matter what happens!

Three Ways Dancers Can Make the Most of Spring Break

I know we all acknowledge the busyness of back to school, or the hustle and bustle of the holidays, but this time of year can be equally stressful, am I right? Graduations, summer trips and activities and end-of-semester events are coming up fast! For dancers, that also includes a Spring recital—with Peek Week, costumes, pictures, auditions and rehearsals all in between now and taking the stage for that final 2022-23 performance. It’s all a little overwhelming, right?

 Take a breath. Seriously, now’s the time to take a breath! Even God rested on the seventh day. Our doors will be closed March 26-April 1 for Spring Break, and we encourage all of our families and staff to regroup, turn our eyes upon Jesus, and prepare to take on the homestretch of this season rejuvenated! Easier said than done, right? Sitting still isn’t so easy for hard-working dancers. This week, we’ve got you covered! Read on to see why making the most of Spring Break is as easy as 1-2-3.

 1. Relax
Psalm 46:10 reminds us to “Be still and know that He is God.” That’s it. Be still, and let God come close. Research shows that relaxation keeps your heart healthier, cuts stress, reduces muscle tension, improves brain function and memory, and helps you avoid anxiety. It also boosts your immune system and helps alleviate the symptoms of any injuries or illness you’ve been dancing through. Simply put, relaxing is important! Spend some time in quiet prayer, then give a few of these prompts a try:

●      Read your Bible—bonus points if you’re under a blanket and in your pajamas.

●      Listen to Worship music—not playing in the background of busyness. Be still and listen.

●      Find joy—let your brain relax and enjoy making time for a favorite hobby or activity.

 2. Refuel

Raise your hand if you’re guilty of the granola-bar-from-the-bottom-of-my-dance-bag diet these days. When our time and energy is stretched thin, odds are, we’re not taking the time to take care of our bodies. Enter Spring Break! Use this week away from the studio to keep your brain active, strengthen your bones, and nourish other body tissues simply by making smart food choices and resetting your healthy habits.

●      Try some new recipes! Spend your class time in the kitchen and try something new.

●      Stay hydrated! Don’t neglect your water bottles this week. Drink like you’re still in class!

●      Don’t forget the snacks! Just because you’re not dancing doesn’t mean your body’s not hard at work.

3. Recover

 Contrary to popular belief, taking a week off every now and then can actually improve your strength and training. Short breaks allow your muscles, tendons and ligaments to repair themselves! Assuming you’ve been consistent in giving it your all in class, Spring Break is the perfect time to recover before that final push toward recital. Find some balance in your time away by practicing active recovery… a happy medium between training hard and couch potato status.

●      Go for a walk or two throughout the week.

●      Stretch every day, even if it’s just for 10 minutes.

●      Put on your favorite worship song and stay loose by practicing some improv dancing.

 Another great way to practice active recovery over Spring Break? Review and practice your recital choreography at home! We’ve all been hard at work in class, learning those final steps and counts to perfect these pieces. And while this week is an opportunity to recharge, we jump back into action with Spring Peek Week April 3-8! Students will receive their recital costumes and perform their dances for parents during the last 10 minutes of each class, so make sure you’re ready to go when the music starts again.

 Enjoy your week away… we’ll see you back in the studio Monday, April 3!